Jackie LaPonza

Jacqueline "Ms. Jackie" LaPonza (born February 12, 1989) is an American singer best known for her work with Mushroomhead. She became prominent as the lead singer for Unsaid Fate in her early 20s. Her vocal style in Unsaid Fate was more aligned with typical hard rock aesthetics, however in Mushroomhead she is considered to be a continuation of Jeffrey Nothing's doom-influenced style. She has assumed many costumes throughout her career with the band, with elements from Victorian, industrial and typical Mushroomhead aesthetics.

Jackie LaPonza
Performing with Mushroomhead in 2016
Background information
Born	(1989-02-12) February 12, 1989 Cleveland, Ohio
Occupation(s)	Singer musician
Years active	2007–present
Member of	Mushroomhead
Formerly of	Unsaid Fate
Partner(s)	Steve Felton (2014–2021)

Early life

LaPonza was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1989. She has five brothers. She originally founded Unsaid Fate with her brother Mike in 2007, after performing at bars since LaPonza was aged 10 under her first name. Mike served as the drummer, Ron DeBiase as guitarist and Nino Spadaro as bassist. At the time, she would state her influences to be Evanescence, No Doubt, Pink, Paramore, Nickelback, Flyleaf, and Green Day.

Career

She then began dating Mushroomhead drummer and visual director Steve "Skinny" Felton in 2014. Skinny proposed within 30 days of the relationship and LaPonza had a guest appearance on 'We are the Truth' from Mushroomhead's 2014 release The Righteous & the Butterfly. Unsaid Fate toured extensively with Mushroomhead until the release of lead single 'Seen it All' from 2020's A Wonderful Life. Despite not appearing vocally, she could be observed in the background of the music video, and would appear in rotation with the other vocalists throughout the album.

LaPonza split from both Skinny and Mushroomhead on 2021, prompting a removal of her presence from tours, promotional material and social media presence. However, since 2021 Unsaid Fate have not resumed making music or touring since the 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns. In 2022, Skinny sought to mend bridges with various former members of the band, such as Dave "Gravy" Felton and Waylon Reavis, with LaPonza making a return to the tour. She is confirmed to appear on the 2024 release Call the Devil.

Visual appearances with Mushroomhead

In her initial years with the band, Jackie often wore elaborate and gothic-inspired costumes. These included corsets, leather outfits, and dark, Victorian-style dresses. Her makeup was dramatic and theatrical, featuring heavy black eyeliner, dark eyeshadow, and bold lipstick colors like deep reds and blacks. During this period, Jackie's hair was typically long and dark, sometimes adorned with colorful streaks or extensions to add a striking visual element.

As her role in Mushroomhead solidified, Jackie's costumes became even more intricate. She was seen in steampunk-inspired outfits, with numerous metallic accents, belts, and buckles. The use of masks and face coverings also became more prominent, aligning with Mushroomhead's signature style. Her makeup evolved to include more face paint and designs, often with horror or fantasy themes, featuring elaborate patterns and occasionally even prosthetic elements. Her hairstyles became more varied, including mohawks, elaborate braids, and vibrant dye colors like blue, purple, and red.

In recent years, Jackie's costumes have become more polished and professionally designed, often custom-made for performances. These outfits include futuristic and cyberpunk elements, blending high fashion with industrial aesthetics. Her makeup continues to be bold and artistic, with intricate designs that sometimes cover her entire face. The themes range from abstract art to sci-fi inspired looks. Additionally, Jackie has experimented with different wigs and hairpieces, frequently matching her hair color and style to her costume. This includes bright, unnatural colors and elaborate styling that enhance her stage persona.

Throughout her tenure with Mushroomhead, Jackie has maintained a strong, commanding stage presence. Her visual style is always cohesive with the band's dark, theatrical, and often eerie aesthetic. Like other members of Mushroomhead, Jackie often incorporates masks into her look. These masks vary in design but are consistently detailed and contribute to the overall mystique and thematic presentation of the band.